Goa Seeks Scientific Mapping to Curb Wildlife Conflict Risks
Faced with rising incidents of human-wildlife conflict beyond protected forests, Goa has urged the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) to conduct a comprehensive ecological study in non-protected areas. The request, sent by state forest officials, aims to assess species movement, threats, and mitigation strategies amid growing development pressure. From recent leopard attacks to sloth bear encounters near the Karnataka border, officials warn that unchecked urbanisation is reshaping natural corridors and putting both human and animal lives at risk.
In response to a sharp uptick in encounters, the Goa forest department has initiated dialogue with wildlife experts to design a roadmap for conflict mitigation outside the state’s designated sanctuaries. Preliminary discussions have been held with researchers at WII, focusing on methods to chart vulnerable zones, map movement corridors, and identify species-specific threats. Officials say these interactions will lead to a detailed concept note outlining methodology, expected outcomes, and funding requirements to implement long-term solutions that align conservation with local community safety. Goa’s unique topography, with high forest cover even beyond recorded forest areas, enables wide-ranging animal movement, especially near human settlements. Officials admit this interspersion of green belts with villages and towns complicates traditional wildlife management.
As human habitats expand, more cases of livestock losses and even injuries to farmers have surfaced, highlighting the urgency of scientific interventions. Experts believe proper data-driven mapping can help shape adaptive conservation policies and preemptively curb high-risk interactions. Environmental degradation caused by infrastructure expansion—such as airports, roads, and industrial estates—has fragmented key habitats. Urban sprawl into previously wild landscapes is disrupting animal territories and amplifying encounters. Recent judicial scrutiny also revealed rampant illegal construction in eco-sensitive areas, prompting courts to direct the state to enforce land-use laws strictly. Forest officials warn that without immediate ecological studies and policy enforcement, Goa risks long-term damage to its biodiversity and escalating conflict incidents.
Conservation advocates stress that safeguarding Goa’s biodiversity requires more than legal protection of forested zones. They argue for a landscape-level conservation model that integrates human presence, animal movement, and sustainable development planning. With the WII study likely to offer a scientific foundation, it could lead to revised land-use regulations, green buffer zones, and public awareness campaigns aimed at fostering peaceful coexistence between people and wildlife. In a region renowned for its fragile ecosystems, these steps may determine whether Goa’s natural heritage can thrive alongside its development ambitions.
